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Zap that YEAST!

One of the most common and frustrating things about being a woman: the dreaded yeast infection. Yeast overgrowth (scientifically known as Candida) can cause an array of physical and emotional issues such as itching, burning, irritability, and feeling completely undesirable. Not to mention, it is quite disruptive to a healthy sex life.

Usually when yeast strikes, even the most health-conscious women desperately turn to prescription medicines and over-the-counter remedies for relief because it really seems to work. At least temporarily…

The problem is, these drugs are not getting to the culprit of the issue, and essentially, the yeast infection just strikes back, sometimes worse than before. So what can we do, as women? Are we doomed to suffer from the big bad yeast forever? I’m here to tell you, HELL NO!

If you a reading this post it is probably because you are looking for relief. So I’ll spare you my story and cut right to the chase. You need to change. And here’s what:

The products you use. A wise health practitioner once told me, “Women do not need to use soap to be clean.” This has stuck with me for a long time, and because I was desperate for a cure for the big bad yeast, I took heed. Stop listening to the commercials, your uninformed man, and society telling you that you’re not clean unless you smell like roses. This isn’t true and that “wash” is probably causing more harm than good. Read the ingredients on the labels of your beauty products. If you can’t pronounce them and have no idea what they are, they’re most likely no good. Warm water and your fingers or a wash cloth around (not in) the vagina will get you clean. The Vagina is a self-cleaning organ! And if you must use soap, opt for something natural (ex. black soap, or the brands Everyone Soap or Shea Moisture are brands I use).

Your diet. White rice, white bread, white vinegar, are all best friends with yeast. Clean up your diet and incorporate in your daily meal rituals whole, unprocessed foods. The candies and the cakes also encourage yeast overgrowth, so do yourself a favor and just stick with fresh, organic, non-gmo fruits and veggies. A cupcake every blue moon is fine, if you must 🙂 DRINK WATER. Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) as seasonings. Couple them with Himalayan pink salt and honestly, there you go. Opt for garlic, onions, and fresh herbs in your diet. Probiotics are great additions for digestion and regulate the “good” bacteria. And the best thing about all of these wholesome foods? They can even be used as beauty products!

Your environment. From the relationships we have with others and ourselves, to the air we breathe, you must keep your environment toxin-free. Emotional and chemical poisons cause so many upsets in our body. And our body simply responds to them the only way it knows how. Stress is just as harmful as cigarette smoke. By keeping your space sacred, your relationships healthy, and your air clean, many, many ailments can be prevented and eliminated.

Exercise. No explanation needed. It will keep your body in working order and even keep you sane.

Now for the remedies. The following information is what I have found most helpful in reducing symptoms, but keep in mind that the information above are preventions. Stick to those, and you won’t need these:

1. Inserting one Boric acid powder capsule into your vagina morning and evening for three to seven days for an acute infection, and 14 to 30 days for a chronic infection. I have not seen Boric acid capsules widely available in health stores or pharmacies but women can make their own by buying a bottle of Boric acid powder and gelatin capsules (a capsule-making machine makes the process go faster).

Studies show the effectiveness of Boric acid is very high especially in women with chronic resistant yeast infections — one study with 100 women showed a 98 percent success rate with this condition. If you find that the Boric acid irritates your external genitalia you can protect the tissue with vitamin E oil (preferred).

2. Insert a garlic clove into your vagina in the morning and an acidophilus capsule in the evening for three to seven days.

3. Prepare a retention douche with bentonite clay, Pau D’ Arco tea, yogurt, tea tree oil and goldenseal and douche two times a day for seven to 10 days.

4. Soak a tampon with diluted tea tree oil and keep it in your vagina overnight.

All of these remedies and more information can be found here. It is a very helpful site and it saves you the internet runaround. You can also try a bath with ACV. Because ACV regulates pH, the “bad” bacteria can’t survive. Soaking in a tub with warm water and ACV is both therapeutic and provides relief.

Lastly, let it all hang out! Cotton (or none at all) underwear are you best bet. Loose, flowing skirts and bottoms are highly recommended.

I understand that I am asking you to make serious lifestyle changes, and for some of you, this will be no easy task. But what can I guarantee with these changes is that you will do more than just zap that yeast; you will create an entirely new you. A stronger, wiser, healthier woman indeed!